This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news for car manufacturers, parts suppliers, car dealers, rental companies, and importers/exporters in the automotive industry. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Automotive? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Manufacturing and Oil & Gas. Also consider subscribing to our Automotive - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

Dates: 2026-04-19 to 2026-04-25

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 🗺️ State Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

Commerce Finalizes Countervailing and Antidumping Duties on Mexican Chassis and Subassemblies

On April 24, the Department of Commerce issued final affirmative determinations in both the countervailing duty (CVD) and less-than-fair-value (antidumping) investigations into imports of certain chassis and subassemblies from Mexico. The proceedings covered the period January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. Affected entities including Hyundai de Mexico S.A. de C.V. and several other firms were assigned CVD rates of 76.91% and antidumping margins of 32.37%. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will continue suspending liquidation of subject merchandise entries, pending final injury determinations by the International Trade Commission. The published scope includes finished and unfinished chassis, assembled or unassembled, with specified exclusions. If the ITC confirms material injury, CVD and AD orders will follow, triggering cash deposit requirements at the determined rates. The final determinations also detail methodology, adverse facts available decisions, scope comments, and next procedural steps.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

Commerce Issues Final Affirmative Determination on Chassis and Subassemblies from Thailand

On April 24, Commerce released final countervailing and antidumping determinations for imports of certain chassis and subassemblies from Thailand, covering entries from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. Dee Siam Manufacturing Co., Ltd. received an antidumping margin of 72.85% and a countervailing duty rate of 10.72%, while Panus Assembly Co., Ltd. was subject to rates of 129.63% (AD, based on adverse facts available) and 9.65% (CVD). The all-others rates were set at 72.85% (AD) and 10.50% (CVD). U.S. Customs will continue the suspension of liquidation for covered imports dating from August 1, 2025 (CVD), and September 29, 2025 (AD), as required. These results follow on-site verifications and several adjustments after receiving and addressing scope and case briefs.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

Commerce Issues Final Affirmative Determination for Chassis and Subassemblies from Vietnam

On April 24, Commerce determined that chassis and subassemblies from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam are being, or likely to be, sold in the U.S. at less than fair value for the period July 1 to December 31, 2024. Thaco Special Vehicles Manufacturing Limited Company and related parties received a weighted-average dumping margin of 186.84%. No separate rates were calculated for other Vietnamese entities. The notice details the scope, verification processes, methodology, and anticipated steps for customs. ITC’s final injury determination will follow.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Details Surge in U.S. Manufacturing, Including Automotive Sector

A White House release on April 22 reported U.S. manufacturing growth, citing the Institute for Supply Management’s continued index expansion and investment actions by Stellantis and other automotive firms. Stellantis is among companies boosting domestic automotive production, and recently announced new U.S. investments. The release lists additional major investments from semiconductor and parts makers, and credits administration policies for creating conditions supporting capital influx in manufacturing.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

FMCSA Approves Data Collection on Crash Risks by Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Schedules

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will implement an information collection project examining the relationship between commercial driver schedules, fatigue, and crash risk. Up to 60 motor carriers will participate, with data drawn from duty logs, telematics, accident histories, and inspection violations. The project’s aim is to inform future regulatory research regarding the link between hours of service, driver schedules, and crash outcomes.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Proposes Approval of Revised Missouri Air Emissions Rule Affecting Petroleum Storage and Transfer

The EPA proposed approval of Missouri’s SIP revision for controlling emissions during petroleum liquid storage, loading, and transfer in St. Louis. Changes include revised tank size thresholds, updated definitions, and a streamlined process for vapor recovery system modifications, with the agency accepting comments until May 26, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Justice Department Seeks Comments on NMVTIS Reporting Requirements for Junk and Salvage Vehicles

The Department of Justice is requesting public comment on its proposal to reinstate reporting requirements for the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System. Auto recyclers, junk yards, and salvage yards handling five or more vehicles annually must report monthly, with an estimated annual time burden of up to 1.3 million hours across 50,383 reporting entities.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Correction: Name Change in Final Results of CVD Review for Indian Aluminum Sheet

The Commerce Department issued a correction to its March 10, 2026 notice, clarifying the correct spelling of Manaksia Aluminium Company Limited in the final results table of the common alloy aluminum sheet CVD review for 2023.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Third-Party Certification and Inspection Modernization Act of 2026

Bill 8431 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on April 22. The legislation proposes changes to certification and inspection requirements relevant to the industry.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Export Control Enforcement and Enhancement Act

Bill 8169, focused on enforcing export controls in foreign trade and international finance, was ordered to be reported as a substitute by the yeas and nays, 44-0.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Export Controls Enforcement Act

Bill 4505, concerning foreign trade and international finance, was ordered to be reported in the nature of a substitute by a 41-3 vote.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Critical Minerals Supply Chain Resiliency Act

Bill 5929, aimed at environmental protection and addressing supply chains for critical minerals, was ordered to be reported by voice vote.

Sources: www.congress.gov

To direct the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to conduct a study with respect to motor vehicle flammability hazards, and for other purposes.

Bill 8444 was referred to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. It directs the NHTSA to perform a study of flammability hazards in motor vehicles.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Protecting American Competition Act of 2026

Bill 8285, focused on foreign trade and competition, was ordered to be reported by a 44-0 vote.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Program: Standards for 2026 and 2027, Partial Waiver of 2025 Cellulosic Biofuel Volume Requirement, and Other Changes".

Bill 157 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on April 20. It concerns congressional review of the EPA's Renewable Fuel Standard rule for 2026 and 2027.

Sources: www.congress.gov

CLEAN Act

House Bill 1687 was ordered to be reported as a substitute by unanimous consent. The bill addresses national energy standards.

Sources: www.congress.gov

STAR Act

Bill 8399 was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The text concerns environment and transportation matters.

Sources: www.congress.gov

State Government News

California Joins International Union for Conservation of Nature

Governor Gavin Newsom announced California’s official acceptance into the International Union for Conservation of Nature, expanding the state’s role in global conservation and climate initiatives.

Sources: www.gov.ca.gov

New York Sues to Restore $73 Million in Federal Highway Funding

New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James filed suit to recover more than $73 million in federal highway funding withheld due to a federal dispute over CDL licensing practices.

Sources: www.governor.ny.gov

Texas Awards Over $1.6 Million in Career Training Grants to South Texas Schools

Governor Greg Abbott announced six Jobs and Education for Texans grants to support career and technical education for high-demand occupations, including automotive service technicians and truck drivers.

Sources: gov.texas.gov

Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund Provides $4.8 Million Grant to Avant Technology in Pharr

Avant Technology will receive a $4.83 million grant to expand its semiconductor assembly operations in Pharr, Texas, resulting in 250 new jobs and enhanced industry training opportunities.

Sources: gov.texas.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• More Used Electric Cars Are Coming at More Affordable Prices: Used EVs are increasingly available, making electric vehicles accessible to more consumers.
• Opinion | The Lost Ideal of the American Car Market: This opinion piece addresses challenges around affordable vehicles in the U.S. market.
• Is the World Ready for a Car Without a Rear Window?: The WSJ reviews the Polestar 4, featuring a unique rear-windowless design.
• Who is paying the price of high fuel costs and tariffs?: Reuters examines the impact of rising fuel prices and tariffs on transportation costs.
• Why Diesel Has Become a Much Bigger Economic Problem Than Gasoline: This article discusses why diesel’s price increases are disrupting broader economic sectors.
• China's global EV push reflects its ambition - and harsh economics at home: Reuters reports on China’s EV export efforts amid challenging domestic market dynamics.
• Samsung SDI signs first EV battery supply deal with Mercedes-Benz: Samsung SDI secured its inaugural EV battery supply contract with Mercedes-Benz.
• U.S. Tariff Relief on Autos, Metals Must Be Part of Trade Pact, Canada Minister Says: The Wall Street Journal covers Canadian government discussions on including tariff relief for autos in upcoming trade agreements.
• Opinion | Why Trucking is So Deadly: An opinion piece investigates the factors contributing to high fatality rates in the U.S. trucking industry.

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